TN ranks high for preventable hospitalizations

Jul. 2, 2013

A study has classified Tennessee as a state with a high number of 'preventable hospitalizations.' / AP / File

Written by

Lexy Gross

The Tennessean

Hospital discharges for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and dehydration have classified Tennessee as a state with a high number of preventable hospitalizations.

According to the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Institute, these conditions shouldn’t require hospitalization if treated properly via outpatient care. Of every 1,000 Medicare patients in Tennessee, 89 will be hospitalized for one of the 12 care-sensitive conditions.

Only five states fared worse than Tennessee in the national report: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

The report shows 9 percent of all Medicare admissions in Tennessee could have been avoided by appropriate primary care.

In comparing regions of the state, the health institute survey found metropolitan areas have fewer preventable hospitalizations. Chattanooga fared best in the report, with Knoxville and Nashville close behind. Chattanooga also had the lowest readmission rate in the state.

According to the report, 78 percent of preventable hospitalizations are the result of four conditions: bacterial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, congestive heart failure and kidney/urinary tract infections.

Dr. Steven Coulter of the health institute said the average cost of each preventable hospitalization is nearly $12,000.